[c-nsp] Cisco Security Advisory: Default Password in Wireless Location Appliance

Thu Oct 12 12:12:04 EDT 2006

The Cisco Wireless Location Appliance software contains a default
password for the 'root' administrative account. A user who logs in
using this username has complete control of the device.

This password is the same in all installations of the product prior to
version 2.1.34.0 when shipped as part of a new product purchase. This
vulnerability still exists on upgraded installations unless explicit
steps have been taken to change the password after the initial
installation of the product.

There are workarounds available for this vulnerability.

This advisory is available at 
http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/707/cisco-sa-20061012-wla.shtml.

Affected Products
=================

Cisco 2700 Series Wireless Location Appliances shipped with versions
prior to 2.1.34.0

The version of software on the Wireless Location Appliance can be
determined in one of three ways.

- From the command line the version can be determined with the
"getserverinfo" command. The version is contained in the first five lines
of output which will look similar to the following output from a device
running version 1.1.73.0:

    -------------
    Server Config
    -------------
    Product name: Cisco Wireless Location Appliance
    Version: 1.1.73.0

Another way to get the version from the command line is to view the
file /opt/locserver/conf/version.txt. For a WLA running version
2.0.42.0, the contents of that file should be similar to:

    [root at locserv /]# cat /opt/locserver/conf/version.txt
    #Tue Jan 31 11:08:35 PST 2006
    build.number=42
    minor.number=0
    patch.number=0
    major.number=2
    branch.name=HOT
    product.name=Cisco Wireless Location Appliance

The version is simply obtained by assembling the numbers beginning with
the "major.number" followed by "minor.number", "build.number" and
"patch.number" in that order with each number separated by a period.

Lastly, the version may be obtained via the web interface on a Cisco
Wireless Control System (WCS) for any Location Appliances which are
configured on it. Browsing to the "Locations" tab and clicking on
"Location Servers" in the resulting menu will give a list of Location
Appliances with their corresponding versions under the "Versions"
column.

No other products are known to be vulnerable.

Details
=======

The Cisco Wireless Location Appliance (WLA) uses RF fingerprinting
technology to simultaneously track 802.11 wireless devices from
directly within a WLAN infrastructure. By design, the Cisco Wireless
Location Appliance is directly integrated into the WLAN infrastructure
using Cisco wireless LAN controllers and Cisco Aironet lightweight
access points to track the physical location of wireless devices.

The Cisco Wireless Location Appliance can be managed via a virtual
terminal (standard keyboard and monitor attached directly to the
appliance), a local serial console, remote SSH connections, and/or
remote secure web sessions. A special administrative account is
provided so that certain management, troubleshooting tasks, and basic
initial setup can be performed.

The default username for administrator login is "root" (without the
quotes), and the default password is "password" (without the quotes).
Both the username and password are case sensitive.

This issue has been addressed in fixed versions of software by
prompting the user to change the password on the root account during
the appliance setup installation. This only applies to new WLA devices
shipped initially with a non-vulnerable version of software for the
initial installation. Previous versions of software which have been
upgraded will not prompt the user to change the password for the root
user during the upgrade.

This issue is documented in Cisco Bug ID CSCsb92893.

Impact
======

Successful exploitation of the vulnerability may result in a remote
attacker gaining full administrative control of the device.

Software Version and Fixes
==========================

This vulnerability is fixed in versions 2.1.34.0 and later when shipped
on new devices for initial installation of the Cisco Wireless Location
Appliance software.

When considering software upgrades, also consult 
http://www.cisco.com/go/psirt and any subsequent advisories to 
determine exposure and a complete upgrade solution.

In all cases, customers should exercise caution to be certain the
devices to be upgraded contain sufficient memory and that current
hardware and software configurations will continue to be supported
properly by the new release. If the information is not clear, contact
the Cisco Technical Assistance Center ("TAC") or your contracted
maintenance provider for assistance.

Workarounds
===========

The vulnerability described in this document can be eliminated by
logging in to the affected WLA and changing the default password for
the administrative root account to a strong password chosen by the
user.

If the password has not previously been changed, the default username
for the administrator login is "root" (without the quotes), and the
default password is "password" (without the quotes). Both the username
and password are case sensitive. After successfully logging in to the
WLA as root, the default password may be changed by running the "passwd"
command.

A reboot is not required for the new password to take effect, so
network operations will not be disrupted.

Obtaining Fixed Software
========================

Cisco will make free software available to address this vulnerability
for affected customers. This advisory will be updated as fixed software
becomes available. Prior to deploying software, customers should
consult their maintenance provider or check the software for feature
set compatibility and known issues specific to their environment.

Customers may only install and expect support for the feature sets they
have purchased. By installing, downloading, accessing or otherwise
using such software upgrades, customers agree to be bound by the terms
of Cisco's software license terms found at 
http://www.cisco.com/public/sw-license-agreement.html, or as otherwise 
set forth at Cisco.com Downloads at 
http://www.cisco.com/public/sw-center/sw-usingswc.shtml.

Do not contact either "psirt at cisco.com" or "security-alert at cisco.com"
for software upgrades.

Customers with Service Contracts
+-------------------------------

Customers with contracts should obtain upgraded software through their
regular update channels. For most customers, this means that upgrades
should be obtained through the Software Center on Cisco's worldwide
website at http://www.cisco.com.

Customers using Third Party Support Organizations
+------------------------------------------------

Customers whose Cisco products are provided or maintained through prior
or existing agreement with third-party support organizations such as
Cisco Partners, authorized resellers, or service providers should
contact that support organization for guidance and assistance with the
appropriate course of action in regards to this advisory.

The effectiveness of any workaround or fix is dependent on specific
customer situations such as product mix, network topology, traffic
behavior, and organizational mission. Due to the variety of affected
products and releases, customers should consult with their service
provider or support organization to ensure any applied workaround or
fix is the most appropriate for use in the intended network before it
is deployed.

Customers without Service Contracts
+----------------------------------

Customers who purchase direct from Cisco but who do not hold a Cisco
service contract and customers who purchase through third-party vendors
but are unsuccessful at obtaining fixed software through their point of
sale should get their upgrades by contacting the Cisco Technical
Assistance Center (TAC). TAC contacts are as follows.

  * +1 800 553 2447 (toll free from within North America)
  * +1 408 526 7209 (toll call from anywhere in the world)
  * e-mail: tac at cisco.com

Have your product serial number available and give the URL of this
notice as evidence of your entitlement to a free upgrade. Free upgrades
for non-contract customers must be requested through the TAC.

Refer to http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/687/Directory/DirTAC.shtml
for additional TAC contact information, including special localized
telephone numbers and instructions and e-mail addresses for use in
various languages.

Exploitation and Public Announcements
=====================================

The Cisco PSIRT is aware of several instances in which Cisco Wireless
Location Appliances have been compromised via the default root
password.

Status of this Notice: FINAL
============================

THIS DOCUMENT IS PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" BASIS AND DOES NOT IMPLY ANY
KIND OF GUARANTEE OR WARRANTY, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR USE. YOUR USE OF THE
INFORMATION ON THE DOCUMENT OR MATERIALS LINKED FROM THE DOCUMENT IS AT
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DOCUMENT AT ANY TIME.

A stand-alone copy or Paraphrase of the text of this document that
omits the distribution URL in the following section is an uncontrolled
copy, and may lack important information or contain factual errors.

Distribution
============

This advisory is posted on Cisco's worldwide website at :

http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/707/cisco-sa-20061012-wla.shtml

In addition to worldwide web posting, a text version of this notice is
clear-signed with the Cisco PSIRT PGP key and is posted to the
following e-mail and Usenet news recipients.

  * cust-security-announce at cisco.com
  * first-teams at first.org
  * bugtraq at securityfocus.com
  * vulnwatch at vulnwatch.org
  * cisco at spot.colorado.edu
  * cisco-nsp at puck.nether.net
  * full-disclosure at lists.grok.org.uk
  * comp.dcom.sys.cisco at newsgate.cisco.com

Future updates of this advisory, if any, will be placed on Cisco's
worldwide website, but may or may not be actively announced on mailing
lists or newsgroups. Users concerned about this problem are encouraged
to check the above URL for any updates.

Revision History
================

+----------------------------------------+
| Revision |                 | Initial   |
| 1.0      | 2006-October-12 | public    |
|          |                 | release.  |
+----------------------------------------+

Cisco Security Procedures
=========================

Complete information on reporting security vulnerabilities in Cisco
products, obtaining assistance with security incidents, and registering
to receive security information from Cisco, is available on Cisco's
worldwide website at 
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/products_security_vulnerability_policy.html.
This includes instructions for press inquiries regarding Cisco security 
notices. All Cisco security advisories are available at 
http://www.cisco.com/go/psirt.

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All contents are Copyright 1992-2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights
reserved. 
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Updated: Oct 12, 2006                                Document ID: 71780

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